Washington, United States

The severity of the coronavirus was ''intentionally'' hidden by the Chinese government according a report by the United States Homeland Security Department.

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According to report, "China likely cut its exports of medical supplies prior to its January WHO (World Health Organization) notification that COVID-19 is a contagion."

Also read: US Secretary of State Pompeo says 'enormous evidence' virus came from Wuhan lab

The report, which assessed export and import data earlier this year, was circulated within the federal government on Friday, the source said.

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Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that there was "enormous evidence" that the coronavirus pandemic originated in a laboratory in Wuhan, China.

Also read: US will have coronavirus vaccine by end of year, says Trump

"We can confirm that the Chinese Communist Party did all that it could to make sure that the world didn't learn in a timely fashion about what was taking place," he added.

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Pompeo's comments come as the Trump administration is formulating a solid long-term plan to punish China on multiple fronts for the coronavirus pandemic,